Nepalis in Canada launch news-based FM station

At a time when the Nepal government has banned news on FM radios, Nepalis living in Canada have launched a Nepali-language FM radio station, ‘Nameste Radio', which will broadcast news, among other programs.

The radio station will air programs including news in Nepali language targeting the Nepali diaspora based in Canada, according to reports said. Interestingly, the state-owned Radio Nepal on Tuesday said the FM station would air “news programs and interview, among others”.

Nepali authorities have been insisting that news programs on FM radios are not allowed anywhere around the world. The government imposed ban on FMs news on February 1 when King Gyanendra assumed direct powers.

Meanwhile, AMARC, the international umbrella organisation of community radio broadcasters, has launched a campaign against the news ban on Nepali FM radios.

The organisation has asked its members and associates around the world to write letters to Nepal government requesting it to withdraw its ban on FM news. nepalnews.com nd Aug 10 05